He says he expects to finish first or second in each Iowa and New Hampshire.

He’s also predicting victory in South Carolina, which will hold the South’s first presidential contest in 2012. And that win, he says, will set the stage for him to capture the GOP nomination.

But Cain also says he plans to “dial back” his campaign and media appearances in order to avoid missteps. Since climbing in the polls, he’s had a series of fumbles and has had to clarify comments on abortion, immigration and terrorism suspects.

Cain appeared Saturday at a Samford University football tailgate in Alabama.